MAX COOPER III'S THE OVERTHINKER IS FINALLY HERE
MAX COOPER III
RELEASES DEBUT FIVE-TRACK EP
THE OVERTHINKER
TODAY
Today, virtuosic piano player and songwriter Max Cooper III delivers his debut five-track EP The Overthinker. Featured in Consequence and UPROXX, the project guides listeners through a journey of self-reflection and emotional depth. Nearly two years in the making, The Overthinker is a culmination of Max’s songwriting journey, featuring tracks that trace back to his high school years.
STREAM THE OVERTHINKER HERE.
The EP delves into the turbulence of internal struggles, often juxtaposing upbeat melodies with deeply poignant narratives. It showcases his music — a vibrant fusion of acoustic pop, jazz, theatrical flair, and whatever else fuels his creative fire. “All the songs share a common thread,” Max shares. “I’m always in my own head way too much — my thoughts affecting my life, which is why I titled this project The Overthinker.”
Max introduced his debut project with the release of “Sadie” on Wednesday, December 4. Driven by a pulsing finger-funk bassline and an array of rhythmic flourishes, the track showcases Max’s bright, heartfelt vocals as he longs for his dream girl. The melody bursts with the exhilaration of falling in love, while lush string arrangements bring a touch of elegance to the upbeat groove. “‘Sadie’ isn’t about one person — it’s a name I chose to sum up all the ‘friend zone’ experiences my friends and I have had,” Max shares. “It captures the intensity of being crazy over someone who doesn’t feel the same.”
The EP’s sophomore single, “Charades” (released Wednesday, January 8), captures the emotional push-and-pull of an on-again, off-again relationship, all while weaving through four decades of pop influences. This track pays subtle homage to artists like Toto, Andy Grammer, and Maroon 5, blending nostalgia with a modern twist to create a sound that’s both familiar and refreshingly new. “‘Charades’ is about being in a relationship with someone who goes back and forth between treating it like it’s a game and treating it like it’s real. It’s about deciding whether it’s worth staying,” Max shares. “The irony is I’m singing about how I shouldn’t care anymore but writing the song shows how much I do care, can’t deny it.”
He continues, “The arrangement on this track is my favorite on the EP. Musically at times it feels more upbeat than the lyrics, kind of a metaphor for how you can pretend something is okay on the outside when on the inside it’s really not. ‘Charades’ is also the most complicated arrangement on the EP. The acoustic guitar intros to the first and second verses describe that back-and-forth between emotional tranquility and all hell breaking loose in the confusion of mixed signals. Things just build musically with the escalating emotional turmoil caused by the contradictions in the relationship.”
While the title track sets up the EP’s common premise, songs like “Check the Time” and “People That Put Me Down” peel back layers of vulnerability and resilience, reflecting his experiences with self-doubt, growth, and the search for genuine connection.
THE OVERTHINKER TRACKLISTING
“The Overthinker”
“Sadie”
“People That Put Me Down”
“Check the Time”
“Charades”
From tapping out rhythms on pots and pans to composing heartfelt, genre-blending songs, Max has followed a unique musical journey that began before he could even remember. His passion ignited early when his parents bought an upright piano for his sister — but by age three, Max was the one teaching himself piano by ear, keeping perfect time and writing songs by five. “I just always loved playing the piano,” Max recalls. “It just came so naturally to me.”
TikTok has been a game-changer in expanding his reach, with his energetic performances striking a chord with a wide audience. Initially, fans were drawn to his impressive piano skills, but over time, he used the platform to reveal more of himself, sharing not just the music but the person behind it. This digital presence has played a key role in cultivating a dedicated fanbase of 843K followers — a total of 1.4 million followers across various platforms.
Max Cooper III’s early influences were rooted in the epic storytelling of movie soundtracks — John Williams’s Star Wars scores, in particular, ignited his imagination and love for orchestral music. As his style evolved, the music and technical prowess of jazz legend Art Tatum became a driving inspiration. His education continued through high school, where he took music theory classes and dreamed of scoring films. Later, at the University of Kansas, he pursued a degree in music composition, balancing rigorous classical training with a blossoming interest in singer-songwriter pop.
At the piano he can effortlessly transition between styles as diverse as jazz standards and improvisations, cinematic themes, pop hits and video game music. Max’s exceptional open-mindedness and technical skills enable him to weave a rich tapestry of influences into his songwriting and arrangements, creating seamless, meaningful compositions.
Looking ahead, Max Cooper III aims to build on the success of The Overthinker, with plans for spring and summer 2025 tour dates, followed by the release of a full-length album.
CONNECT WITH MAX COOPER III:
Credit: Earl Richardson
